Royal Caribbean Introduces New Amenities and “Virtual Balconies”

One thing we love about our cruise partners is their commitment to innovation. We partner with Royal Caribbean International on a number of Christian travel experiences, and they just announced an extensive ship revitalization program. In their words, “We’re changing everything about our ships, except their names.”

If you’ve sailed before with Royal Caribbean, you may be wondering what needs to be upgraded—after all, they’re already considered one of the world’s most luxurious cruise lines. But technology moves quickly, which means the amazing features they’ve introduced on their new Oasis-class ships—and will soon reveal in their new Quantum-class ships—will eventually find their way throughout the entire fleet.

This includes more than just new five-star restaurants or refreshed spaces (though these are fantastic changes in their own right). Consider Navigator of the Seas, a 3,000-passenger vessel launched in 2002. Its revitalization includes the addition of ship-wide Wi-Fi, touchscreen digital way-finders throughout the vessel, and the FlowRider® Surf Simulator.

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Impressive changes are also coming to Navigator of the Seas’ staterooms. Oceanview staterooms will be outfitted with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, providing an unhindered glimpse of the beauty surrounding the ship. Interior staterooms are slated to receive an even more spectacular upgrade: Virtual Balconies. These are digital real-time views of the ocean and destinations visible from the ship’s exterior, displayed in high-resolution color on a giant 80-inch LED screen on the wall of an otherwise windowless stateroom. Navigator of the Seas will be the first ship in the world to feature this awe-inspiring technology when it re-enters service in late 2014. Expect other ships throughout the fleet to be upgraded with Virtual Balconies in the years to come. 

Inspiring this revitalization program are the innovations originally developed for Royal Caribbean’s new Quantum-class ships, the first of which debuts in fall 2014. In a cruise ship first, these technology-rich vessels will feature a 14-passenger observation pod called North Star. This glass capsule is attached to a mechanical arm which extends from the ship’s topmost Deck 16—300 feet above the water—offering 360-degree views. (See an artist’s rendering of this feature here.) Another addition to Quantum-class ships is a two-story vertical wind tunnel called RipCord that allows passengers to hover in midair in a skydiving simulation.

Extendable observation decks. Skydiving. Virtual Balconies. We’re excited about these upgrades and additions to the Royal Caribbean fleet, expecting that other cruise lines may eventually follow suit. This is great news for our passengers. We care deeply about your travel experience, and know these innovations will help make your already memorable Christian cruise even more extraordinary.